Basketball shooting training device

ABSTRACT

A basketball shooting training device includes: a ring extension; an elevator pole to raise the height of the ring extension; and a base to support the ring extension and the elevator pole.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. patent application No. 61/170,853, filed Apr. 20, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to sports and, more specifically, to a basketball shooting training device.

When shooting a basketball, players experience many missed shots because the shot has a flat arc and is not released at the highest point.

Current shooting devices must be attached to the body or the basketball rim. They provide limited real game training scenarios and are ineffective in developing muscle memory, an inner image, or mental picture of a perfect shot.

As can be seen, there is a need for a device to help with shooting basketballs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a basketball shooting training device includes: a ring extension; an elevator pole to raise the height of the ring extension; and a base to support the ring extension and the elevator pole.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a top view of an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. However, any single inventive feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or may only address one of the problems discussed above. Further, one or more of the problems discussed above may not be fully addressed by any of the features described below.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention generally is an adjustable basketball shooting training device that provides players the opportunity to perfect their shot by training them on how to elevate their shot so that the ball is released at the highest point and with elbows elevated to the correct position to generate the proper arc and release. It is supported by the court floor, easily movable, adjustable, allows freedom of player movement to create game speed training scenarios. It also develops muscle memory, an inner image, or mental picture of a perfect shot.

An embodiment of the present invention, which may be called a “Shot Elevator,” includes a ring extension 1, an elevator pole 2, and a base 3.

The figures depict an embodiment of the present invention. The ring extension 1 is a device configured and designed to allow a player to shoot a ball through it. The elevator pole 2 is a device configured and designed to raise the height of the ring extension 1. The base 3 is a device configured and designed to support both the ring extension 1 and the elevator pole 2 while a player uses the invention. The base 3 is preferably hollow so that it may be filled with material known in the art, including but not limited to water, sand, and concrete. The parts may comprise of any hard, supportive material known in the art, including but not limited to wood, plastic, and metal. The parts may be sized for large players, medium, or small players. The design or shape of the parts may include various length, diameter, width, style, height, weight, and thickness. The base 3, elevator pole 2, ring extension 1 are preferably shaped as having a circular cross section, but could take any geometrical shape, including but not limited to an oval, rectangular, or hexagonal etc. The ring extension 1 has a ring with a circular shape but could take any geometrical shape, including but not limited to a bar, oval, rectangular, or hexagonal etc.

In an embodiment, optional elements provide additional features and benefits as previously described. In another embodiment, the base comprises wheels (not shown) to allow the invention to roll along the floor. Padding is also optional and may cushion any player impact with the invention. The connection between the parts may provide the ability to rotate the ring extension 1 relative to the elevator pole 2, and the ability to rotate the elevator pole 2 relative to the base 3. Also, the ring's angle on the ring extension 1 may be adjustable relative to the elevator pole 2.

The base 3 is preferably connected to the elevator pole 2 underneath the elevator pole 2. Any connections described in this application may include any known connectors, including screws, bolts, nuts, adhesives, etc. The base 3 is preferably connected perpendicularly to the elevator pole 2, although it may be angled relative to the elevator pole 2. The base 3 is preferably connected to the elevator pole 2 at the base 3 center, although it may be connected at any position, including but not limited to any inner periphery of the base 3 and at any outer periphery of the base 3.

The elevator pole 2 is preferably connected to the ring extension 1 underneath the ring extension 1. Any connections described in this application may include any known connectors, including screws, bolts, nuts, adhesives, etc. The elevator pole 2 is preferably connected perpendicularly to the ring extension 1, although the elevator pole 2 may be angled relative to the ring extension 1. The elevator pole 2 is preferably connected to the ring extension 1 at the elevator pole 2 center, although it may be connected at any position, including but not limited to any inner periphery of the elevator pole 2 and at any outer periphery of the elevator pole 2.

The ring extension 1 is preferably connected to the elevator pole 2 above the elevator pole 2. Any connections described in this application may include any known connectors, including screws, bolts, nuts, adhesives, etc. The ring extension 1 is preferably connected perpendicularly to the elevator pole 2, although it may be angled relative to the elevator pole 2. The ring extension 1 is preferably connected to the elevator pole 2 at the elevator pole 2 center, although it may be connected at any position, including but not limited to any inner periphery of the ring extension 1 and at any outer periphery of the ring extension 1.

The connections between the base 3, elevator pole 2, ring extension 1 may be fixed or allow rotation between parts. The connections may be a resilient material that bends with stress, such as rubber, plastic, or a metal.

The invention provides a basketball training shooting experience for a player by helping perfect his shot. The height of the ring extension 1 may be adjusted by extending the elevator pole 2 to increase his shot's arc which will increase the cross sectional area of the goal as seen by the ball traveling along a parabolic curve when released. The net result is the accuracy of the shot distance is increased. The player learns to release the ball at the highest position with the elbows aligned properly for the best release of the ball. The inventions can be easily moved or rotated to support many game shot scenarios. After executing shots repeatedly, the player develops muscle memory of the proper form or shot and may then execute his shot without the invention with increased accuracy.

To make an embodiment of this invention, one could first provide the elements, including the base 3, elevator pole 2, and ring extension 1 etc. Then these elements could be connected using screws, adhesives, and /or connectors to produce the invention as shown in the drawing.

A person would use an embodiment of the invention in the following way. First, he would place it in front of a basketball goal on the floor with the base 3 or optional wheels contacting the ground. Next, he would adjust the height of the elevator pole 2 to the desired height. Next, he would adjust the rotation and angle of the ring extension 1 to the desired position. He would then execute shots using correct form until he developed the ability to shoot accurately with the desired arc supported by the invention. Next, he would perform the same shots without the invention and measure the shot's accuracy. This process would be repeated until desired shot accuracy is achieved.

In one embodiment, a person could use invention differently by rotating the ring on the end of the ring extension 1 so that it may be used to practice passing the ball through the opening to perfect one's passing or throwing ability. In this position, one may also use it to improve the accuracy of a baseball player's pitch, a soccer player's pass or kick, a volleyball player's spike or pass, and a football player's pass, punt, kick, or hike.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A basketball shooting training device comprising: a ring extension; an elevator pole to raise the height of the ring extension; and a base to support the ring extension and the elevator pole. 